Mike Bandera, general manager of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, said watching the park burn since the Royal Gorge Fire sparked on the south side of the tourist attraction has been tough. (Brandon Hopper / Daily Record)

That's how the scene of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park was described by officials during a multi-agency press conference regarding the Royal Gorge Fire and the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park on Thursday afternoon at the Cañon City Daily Record.

However, Cañon City Administrator Doug Dotson said the fire has swept through the city-owned property and now it's time to look toward the future.

"We've already been talking with bridge management about what's to come," he said. "We are already in the process of beginning to think about a master plan for the redevelopment and revitalization in that area."

A view of the Royal Gorge Bridge and the damage from the fire that erupted Tuesday afternoon, (Carie Canterbury / Daily Record)

The Cañon City Council has been talking for several months to potential developers about the possibility of a significant hotel facility in the Royal Gorge area.

"We are talking about new attractions," Dotson said. "We think it's going to be an extremely exciting project for the future of this community. We're going to start moving that idea forward on Monday."

Dotson said photos of the damage at the bridge and park soon will be posted on the city's website at canoncity.org.

"For us, we can't do anything about the fire, it's done — so it's all about the future at this point," he said. "I think we've got some great opportunities and some great ideas."

Mayor Tony Greer toured the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park and even drove across the bridge Thursday.

"As devastating as some of the damage appears, it seems to have created a wonderful opportunity for us, as well," he said. "This national treasure that we've been charged with — the bridge itself — is intact and it's safe."

Of the more than 1,000 planks on the bridge, only 32 were burned on the south end of it. But of the 52 structures on the property, only four remain.

"We have reaffirmed our partnership with the Royal Gorge Company of Colorado, and we are committed to opening this park as soon as we can safely do so, albeit in a much limited capacity," Greer said.

Harry Hargrave, president of the RGCC, said the bridge likely will reopen on a limited scale in a matter of months. He said that he hopes to have the entire park rebuilt within a year.

"It is our commitment as a company to rebuild that which has gone away in the briefest of time," he said. "After touring the property with one of our insurance adjustors and looking at the damage, I believe we have adequate resources to rebuild and that is our intention."

Mike Bandera, general manager of the bridge and park, said watching the park burn since the Royal Gorge Fire sparked on the south side of the park has been tough.

"As soon as the highway is reopened, and we can get staff up there, we will get to work," he said. "We have about 40 permanent staff, and it will be all hands on deck."

The estimated amount of damage at the bridge and park is likely to be in the millions of dollars, Bandera said. Once U.S. 50 reopens, the Country Cafe at U.S. 50 and CR 3A that is operated by the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park will reopen and will have up-to-date information on the status of the bridge.

"Our intention is to open the bridge bigger and better than ever as soon as we can get it open," Bandera said. "We're looking at new layouts, new designs and more efficiency and more entertainment value especially."

"We've seen a lot of pictures of the damage, but it's nothing that is not recoverable," Bell said. "Fremont County and Cañon City are still strong and viable. We are going to survive this."

Payne said watching the flames from the Royal Gorge Fire from the incident command center was heartbreaking.

"Seeing all the flames and smoke was just shocking, but after the initial shock, we realized we have work to do," he said. "We will bounce back."

Bell said, because of the travesty of the fire, Fremont County is a changed place.

"It's going to change for the better," she said. "We're going to renew. We're going to keep fighting."

City officials remind the public that the city is still open for business.

"The Fremont County area is one of the best outdoor recreational meccas and destinations in the state, including rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, zip lines and jeep tours," officials stated in a press release. "Partnered with outdoor adventures are our regional, art and prison museums, our historic downtown districts, shopping opportunities, unique dining experiences and special events."

Cañon City will host Ride The Rockies activities, beginning today, and the Whitewater Festival will still occur June 21-22 at Veterans and Centennial parks in the heart of Cañon City.

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